Jim Paxson this week still credits Jack Ramsay for jump starting what would turn out to be one of the best careers in Trail Blazers history.

“He always believed he could make you better as a player,’’ Paxson said. “And usually, he did.’’

One of Paxson’s favorite stories is from his rookie season. The Blazers were reconvening from the 1980 All-Star break when Paxson ran into Ramsay in the Kansas City, Mo., airport.

The two decided to share a taxi.

Paxson was a highly touted rookie, the 12th overall pick out of Dayton, but he was struggling mightily during his first season -- mostly with confidence.

"Jack was giving me consistent minutes, but that jump from college to the pros. ... I don't know if I really believed I was good enough," Paxson said.

In the taxi ride to the team hotel, Ramsay told Paxson the team was about to trade Maurice Lucas to New Jersey for Calvin Natt.

“He told me that New Jersey really wanted me in the trade,’’ Paxson recalled. “But he said he wouldn’t allow it, because he thought I was going to be a really good player.

“At the time, I was struggling with my confidence, but he just knew the right way to express his confidence in me, and it really helped.’’

The next game, Paxson had 21 points and his prolific career was off and running.

“I made two All-Star teams and second-team All-NBA under him, so you can say he knew how to get the most out of his players,’’ Paxson said. “His offense – the ball was never really held and everybody was involved – could really be effective if you knew how to move without the ball.’’

Getting players to understand the value of moving without the ball, and sharing the ball, was an ongoing crusade of Ramsay’s.

“It was drilled more or less everyday in practice,’’ Paxson said. “And if you didn’t play the right way, well, let’s say he made a point to encourage you to play that way.’’